Denver Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC) held its Annual Delegate Meeting March 12, and the biggest surprise during the boisterous and contentious meeting was the election of J.J. Niemann as president of the organization over incumbent Larry Ambrose. With seven abstentions, the 94 delegates in attendance voted Niemann in 45 to 42. A call to certify the vote resulted in a recount and open comment period which the INC Board of Directors will consider approving on April 5. By press time the election results had not been publicly confirmed. From the INC website: INC “is a voluntary, non-profit coalition of representatives from Denver’s registered neighborhood organizations (RNOs), city agencies and others that gather to promote responsible city change and growth.”

During a recess immediately after the vote Ambrose made the following statement: 

“It’s very difficult to be an advocate in this city in this day and age. The city doesn’t like that we’ve been advocates and they’ve organized a group to oppose our advocacy, a group that was headed by people who are on boards or commissions of the city. These people feel that we’ve been too strong, and so they’re trying to weaken the organization, and all I can say is it’s kind of tragic, especially in light of what’s going on in Denver today.” 

Ambrose did not name individuals or elaborate as to which specific citywide developments he was referring. 

In a subsequent statement to the delegate body as a whole following the recess Ambrose added, “It has always been my fear that business development districts would somehow take control of this organization. They have different interests than registered neighborhood organizations … and at this particular election a number of brand new business improvement districts came in here and that’s what made the difference in this vote.” 

In a separate statement regarding the presidential vote, INC President-elect J.J. Niemann chose to focus on turnout, saying he was pleased with the number of delegates present. “I’m really happy with the turnout; we’ve had people from all four corners and the city center. I hope we can keep attendance strong in the months to come.” 

While not delving into specifics as to what his first order of business would be, Niemann did say that diversity in the membership ranks of INC was a top priority: “Diversity and inclusivity are going to be central to my presidency. Diversity of ideas, diversity of young and old, diversity of rich and poor, diversity of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I was born in Denver, Colorado, I know how diverse we are, and I want to make sure we include the people who are also brand new to the city.” 

At the the heart of the Annual Delegate Meeting were votes on developing INC position statements in regards to two issues of citywide concern: short-term rentals and large-scale urban drainage planning. Regarding short-term rentals, after some delegate input in regards to language the sectioned out items below were approved. 

Motion—short-term rentals 

Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation supports the provision of the Denver Zoning Code Text Amendment 8, Short-Term Rentals, which allows short-term rentals as accessory to primary residential use, within limitations, where residential uses are currently allowed provided the Text Amendment specifically includes and retains the provision that a short-term rental shall be operated by the person maintaining the dwelling unit used as their primary residence.

The Delegation of Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation votes to withhold recommending a position on the proposed Licensing and Regulatory Framework until such time as the General and Additional Licensing Requirements, Fees and Fines and Enforcement and Revocation Licensing Requirements have been drafted and presented by the Department of Excise and Licenses for public hearing. 

During discussion the greatest concern voiced was in regards to language surrounding the phrase “primary residence.” Some delegates were concerned that loopholes would be found that would allow absentee owners to rent out their homes from afar. In the end the position statement passed as printed here with 54 in favor, 10 opposed and eight abstentions. 

Resolution two for the morning pertained to Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) plans for a large-scale drainage project which some contended during the meeting’s comment period is tied to CDOT plans to re-envision Interstate 70 east from Gateway/Aurora west to Globeville. The proposed INC position on the matter read as follows: 

Motion—INC resolution on urban drainage planning process 

Flood protection and ensuring the safety of existing Denver residents is of paramount importance to all of us in INC and in Denver’s neighborhoods. 

Protection of existing historic Denver neighborhoods, existing Areas of Stability, and existing designated park is crucial and should be Denver’s priority. 

For this reason, we move that the city explore all options before moving forward evaluating options not based on utility for CDOT, RTD and revenues for the city, but based on full study and meaningful neighborhood involvement. 

During discussion and before a final vote, Niemann attempted to quell contentious side conversations that had been a continual drag on the morning’s proceedings: “I think that what’s happening is that our city is organized in such a way that they’re out there in front of us all the time, and we’re always trying to play catchup. Let’s vote on this; let’s let our voices be heard. We’ve had a lot of work put into this resolution and this analysis. But also, let’s continue to look forward. What’s the next thing we need to be in front of rather than behind of?”  

Before comment closed, Drew Dutcher, president of the Elyria-Swansea Neighborhood Association, spoke to the second position statement: “This motion is essential. The city is rushing this project. The public process began in November, two months before the I-70 FAIS came out. The city and CDOT say there’s no link between the I-70 project and the stormwater project, which I think everyone thinks, prima facie, is just a fiction. We need this to tell the city ‘slow down and look at what you’re doing to these neighborhoods with the impact of the stormwater project and the I-70 project.’”

His comment received much applause, and the position statement was passed with 62 for, zero opposed and five abstentions. 

The morning closed with a two-party presentation on the I-70 redevelopment plan. CDOT representatives shared their current plan, which includes adding toll lanes and lowering a portion of the highway between Brighton and Colorado Boulevards. Representatives from “Ditch the I-70 Ditch,” a local activist group opposed to the CDOT plan, shared an alternative proposal which would divert I-70 onto I-270 and I-76 and which would replace the old stretch of I-70 with a stretch of boulevard lined with green space and dotted with traffic circles. 

At the present time the Sierra Club, joined by local neighborhood organizations, has sued CDOT over their plan claiming the project would violate air quality standards. 

The Profile will continue to cover this latter story as it develops. For information on CDOT’s I-70 redevelopment plans, visit i-70east.com. INC’s website is denverinc.org.